Less Than $5 Tickler Box

Putting off a Tickler File because you think it will cost too much. 

Isn't your sanity worth it?  Besides it can be pretty cheep! 

Feel free to ignore the wrinkly tablecloth.  But I'm a bit proud of the fact that no one is perfect.  Exhibit A!  The wrinkles! 

So I get the milk box for free at Costco with the purchase of 2 gallons of milk.  I found the contact paper at the dollar store, for a dollar!  And a pack of 100 file folders is $7, and you only need 43. 

But if you really want to be fancy I saw a neat plexiglass folder box for $7 and Fun Colored files for $4 for 30. 

But for me it's not the outside appearance that matters, it is what's on the Inside that Counts!



P.S. We go through 8 gallons of milk a week, so if you want a milk box I have plenty!

What a Relief to have an In Box

I was feeling a little overwhelmed this morning.  I really want to start on sewing some easter dresses.  I have done some good actions to lead up to it.  I got the patterns.  I got the fabric.  I measured the girls last night again.  I really would LOVE to start them.  

But I have some things to do that are a little more pressing.  

So put it in my In Box.  And I felt such a relief.  

I will get to them.  But I don't have to do it RIGHT NOW!  It's OK not to do it right now.  I will have more time at nap time.  

Right now is a good time to eat breakfast and make a couple of phone calls.  

I can do that.  And I don't feel stressed out of my brain that I can't do everything I want.  

What a relief to have an In Box!

A Nice Bedtime Mind Dump

Oh the simple joys of doing a mind dump before bed.  I just have some spiral notebooks next to the bed and a pen.  And it was awesome.  Just 12 little things I needed to jot down, but it made a great night's sleep and I was ready to take care of some of the things in the morning, and put some things on my Someday List.

It is still Happening and No One's Perfect

I was talking with someone this morning who told me how she was getting things done.  She has had some scrapbooking she has wanted to do for 7 months. 

Guess what?  She started working on it.  Why?  Because she did the next action to move it forward, she went to the shed and got a box out that she needed.  That is all it took and she got the chance to work on it!  She is moving it forward after being stalled for a while. 

Isn't that cool? 

Now for the no one's perfect. 

Last night I was totally overwhelmed and didn't think I could do anything (probably because I was exhausted.)  It all started because of a conflict with 2 school programs I was involved in a week apart.  (I thought I would have at least 3 weeks between them or I wouldn't have signed up to help.) 

But I had a good night's rest, and woke up with a few easy actions on my mind.  It was a rough morning with the kids.  We were almost late for school (and carpool pick up).  But I got the most important thing to do that day done (an email response to my sister.)  And I felt like I could do more.

But right before lunch time it happened again.  Overwhelmed.  A little 2 year old refusing to wear a coat, but coming in crying because he was cold, but still not letting me put a coat on him.  Plus a lot of things looming.  I was feeling like my energy was drained. 

But then I had a chance to look at my list from this morning (it was written on a post it note on my counter.)  And I really did get the 5 things done I wanted to do this morning (make lunch for the kids, email sister, get the oil changed, get stuff for dinner tonight, and call a lady)

And now I feel so much more at peace.  My mind is calmed down enough to sit down and do nothing with my willful little boy on my lap.  It was nice.  It was needed. 

Tickler File: Weird Name, Amazing Tool

Some people had to leave a little early because of other commitments (like putting kids to bed). 

And I hate for them to miss out on the amazing Tickler File.  So amazing my husband even loves it. 

So it is amazing, but also so simple.  43 file folders.  And something to put them in.  That's it. 

Lable one set 1 through 31 for the days of the week. 

And the other set Jan through Dec for the months.

I happened to have a labeler but it isn't necessary.  If you want to borrow mine just let me know. 

Then I put it together like this.

The current month goes in the front (in this case March).  Then the days that are left in the month go behind it (in this case 20, since today is 3/19).  I don't have a fabulous photo, but the days that we have already gone through (1-19) have now been moved to April.  Because, you know what, it is a perpetual calendar!  And it is amazing. 

Why is it amazing?  Because I can put all sorts of things in it that I don't want to forget and it saves it for me.  And I can pull it out exactly on the day I need it.

Examples:  Wedding Reception Invites, Party Invitations.  I leave the invitation on the day (so I can grab it for an address).  I put a sticky in the folder a few days before the party with a note that says, "Buy present."  or "Mail card."

See below for the example with Kohl's bonus cash (or whatever). 

I put in my husband's itinerary on the day he flies out.   I put in checks that I need to send with my preschooler.   I put in reminders to sign up  for dance classes before the deadlines. 

What is amazing is that it frees up my calendar for the things that I must do.  And I can put things in it, like things I would like to do if there is time and the kids are not to fussy or if the kids are too fussy and I need to get them out of the house!  I put in library fliers for story times.  Something I don't HAVE to do, but I could do. 

And it is such a nice little friend, this tickler file, because it helps get it all off my mind and I don't worry about missing anything.  I will review it often enough (like every night before I go to bed) to know what is happening.  But I don't worry.  And it is fantastic!

Get your folders!  They even fit nice in a milk box from costco, and you were just going to recycle that anyway. 



The Tickler File Strikes Again

Aha!  I got to use my tickler file again today!

The thought came to me while I was at Kohl's and they handed me a very unexpected $10 bounce back coupon.  Wow, did I feel important.  But she warned, it was only good starting March 23rd. 

Then I thought, I can put it in my tickler file.  Then I won't be disappointed when I miss the deadline.  I will use it!  I will use it on the two teddy bears I wanted to buy the twins, but couldn't justify the expense at the time.

I love you tickler file.

Unexpected Amazingness

I was thinking today of the unexpected great things that have come because of Getting Things Done.  First it is having a clear mind.  I'm not frazzled and stressed out most of the day anymore.  That state of mind really gets my normal day to day responsibilities taken care of.  And when the day to day stuff gets done then I actually feel like I can do more of the stuff that I "know I should be doing" (which are my values). 

So here is my unexpected amazingness for today (because it still amazes me that I can do things that I have wanted to do for a long time and didn't do and felt guilty about it). 

#1  I got up early (5:45 am) to go swimming (as exercise).  I have to admit it was a struggle this morning.  I was so tired!  But I did it anyway. 

#2 I felt good that I went swimming

#3  I was home early to see my husband leave for work

#4 I got to spend some quiet time with my 2 sons that were already awake

       (Let me tell you how my mornings used to go.  SO tired in the morning, because I stayed up late trying to get everything done after the kids have gone to bed.  So I don't get up until I absolutely have to 7:45 am.  Or earlier with my early-rising sons literally dragging me out of bed.  Then I lay on the couch downstairs while they entertain themselves.  Then I had mommy guilt.)

#5  I used my "In" basket for my kids.  So they can write on a piece of paper and put it in my "In" basket and I promise to do that for them today.  So my oldest son writes, "Play Set" and puts it in the basket this morning.

#6  So we play set.  It's really peaceful.  I have time because I was up early.  I don't have to wake up the other 3 kids for 20 minutes. 

#7  I give lots of positive attention to my son who craves it.  And I get to patiently teach him how to play a game that he thought he was not smart enough to play.  Wow.  It still amazes me.  I have wanted to do that for so long! 

#8  Now I can (on occasion) have my actions be inline with my values.  I'm not perfect but I'm making progress and that is huge for me. 

#9  And I had time to make smoothies for all the kids this morning.  They loved it and it was such a great way to start the day.  (versus, my usual, frantic, "We're Late!!!!!") 

It's all because I got my day to day under control and my mind clear and it opened it up for possibilities (swimming and up early).  Amazing Unexpectedness!

Results!

I've been talking with 6 people who came last night who have tried something new they learned from our night.  Each one has seen positive result!  That is so exciting!  One worked for a short time cleaning up the kids room with the kids.  But afterward she had a chance to have fun and connect with them!  One had to wake up at 3 am with a child to help them get back to sleep.  She did a mind dump and was able to go back to sleep!  Another is feeling such freedom from not feeling weighed down from "THE PROJECT" but feels empowered to do a step that moves her that much closer to getting it done. 

Last night I saw the pile of laundry needing to be folded.  I wondered if I could get it done in 2 minutes and it gave me the incentive to try.  So it took 6 minutes at least it got done!

I am so excited to hear about your success, great or small.  Feel free to post your progress!  And also if you hit a road bump or have a question post that too.  We can all work on it together. 

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